Batavia, NY- The Health and Physical Education department at Genesee Community College congratulates Byron-Bergen Elementary School for winning the 2013 Play to Get Fit Challenge. This is the second year straight that the Bees have captured the title.

The Genesee Play to Get Fit Program was created for third, fourth and fifth graders in the GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties) region to show how many minutes they spend engaged in physical activity outside of school. Children kept track through a specially designed “Play to Get Fit” calendar log. Walking, biking, running, skating, swimming, playing a sport, playing tag, playing on a swing set and other active, creative games were all eligible for active “credit.” However, video fitness games such as Wii Fit and Wii Sports were not eligible.

Byron-Bergen Elementary came out on top with a total of 48,590 minutes of physical activity outside of school. GCC Director of Health and Physical Education Becky Dziekan presented Principal Brian Meister and PE Teacher Brian Tatar with a plaque recognizing the school’s achievement.

In addition, Dziekan recognized three students who recorded the highest amounts of physical activity among all participating school districts. They were: Charles Gottler of Elba (4,850 minutes), Brandon Levey of York (4,850 minutes), and Kaylen Peffers of York (4,323 minutes).

“We firmly believe that good healthy living starts in primary school and by encouraging activity at the earliest ages we can instill a lifelong commitment to physical fitness,” Professor Dziekan said. “We congratulate Byron-Bergen for this accomplishment and appreciate all GLOW area students who participated in the Challenge and recognize the value of being physically active.”

Genesee Community College offers several areas of study in sports and recreation. Transfer Degree Programs (A.S.) include Physical Education Studies and Sport Management Studies. Career Degree Programs (A.A.S.) include Fitness and Recreation Management, which offers a new Golf Management Concentration to help turn a passion for golf into a career. To explore these programs, attend Saturday, December 7th Open House at all campus locations.